Starring: Chris Pine, Keira Knightley and Kevin Costner
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 45 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When I lived in Baltimore I had season tickets to the Orioles at Memorial Stadium (and, later, Camden Yards). The seats behind me were owned by a very nice guy who sold insurance. We would talk between innings about all kinds of things. From football (he HATED the Washington Redskins) to where to get the best burnt ends (off Route 40 near the Golden Ring mall). The man also wrote a little. His name was Tom Clancy and one of the characters he created is the subject of the new film “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.”

When we meet Jack Ryan (Pine), he’s a college student in England. Then the events of September 11, 2001 take place and we meet him again on a military mission in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. Marines. After his helicopter is attacked and crashes, his injured body is sent to Walter Reed Medical Center where he learns to walk again thanks to his beautiful doctor, Cathy (Knightley). Now working as a bank examiner, Jack hides from Cathy the fact that his job is a cover for his work as an analyst for the C.IA, where he was secretly recruited while in the hospital by Thomas Harper (Costner). Jacks latest assignment will take him to Moscow, where his dealings with crooked businessman Viktor Cherevin (Branagh) may make this lesson his last.

First things first, this film is not based on any of Tom Clancy’s books. The filmmakers have basically taken his most popular character and given him a new backstory. And, if you’re not a fan of the books, it works. While Ryan is much more of an action hero here (“you’re not just an analyst,” Harper tells him) Pine still manages to keep the character grounded in reality. Knightley gets a little more to do than in previous stories and Costner is an excellent choice to play Ryan’s mentor.

The action comes non-stop and credit director/co-star Branagh with making the film interesting, both with his performance and his guidance. The film moves quickly to a rather satisfying climax. This is not your father’s Jack Ryan and, when everything is taken into consideration, that’s really not a bad thing.

Starring: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and Tika Sumpter
Directed By: Tim Story
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 100 minutes
Universal Pictures

Our Score: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Laughter can only go so far. I’ll admit I laughed a few times during “Ride Along”, but they were short lived. Every once and a while there appeared to be the rumblings of chemistry between Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, but the man behind the camera failed to pick up on it. You could see it, but there never was a payoff. It almost felt like Hart and Cube had to stick to the garbage script and were forced into the comedic stereotypes audiences expect them to play. Laughter can be a cure in a weak movie. We can overlook its flaws when the humor is hearty and consistent. “Ride Along” is not one of those movies.

Ben (Hart) is a video game junkie who applies his first person shooter knowledge to his supposed cop instincts and skills. He’s a school security guard who garnishes respect by being verbally persuasive with the students. He’s currently seeing Angela (Sumpter), a curvy woman who is way out of his league. Seriously. There are moments you question what she even sees in him. He seems slightly unhappy in life, but hopes to change that after being accepted into a police academy. Enter our obligatory problem: He has to impress his potential, future brother-in-law James (Cube) by going on a…you guessed it…a ride along. This allows James two opportunities. One is to ruin Ben’s dreams of being a cop and the other is to hopefully get rid of the man, who refers to his penis as the “Black Hammer,” from his younger sister’s life.

OK. I will concede. That’s not a bad set-up for a potential string of funny scenes and jokes. But the movie has put Cube’s foul mouth in check and whittled Hart’s character down to the goofy guy who screams like a girl and falls a lot. It gets dull watching Hart act crazy and hysterical to fill the void of humor. Of course halfway through the movie the main “plot” is abandoned for a predictable side story that involves James going against his Lieutenant’s orders and chasing down Omar. Omar is an elusive, dangerous and never before seen criminal that James has been tracking for years.

The writer’s for “Ride Along” really must have relied on the preconceived notion that anyone entering the film will already love Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. Which for most of the audience I was with, was true. If you’re not a fan of either or a half-hearted follower, then you’re going to be greatly disappointed. You’re going to be waiting for that over the top moment followed by a wink at the screen from Ice Cube. But it never comes. You’re going to be waiting for at least one memorable liner you can quote to your friends in the parking lot. It fails to materialize. Simply put, this movie fails at being a comedy and falls apart when trying to be a cop action movie.

“Ride Along” steals all the typical cliches without injecting any ingenuity or originality into them. This movie never settles on what it wants to be or allows our actors to dictate what it will be. After going home and letting what I just saw soak in, I read that they had already greenlighted a sequel. Let’s hope the writers can man up to some constructive criticism because I’d like to see these two in a fresh, fluid cop movie. I actually want to have fun with ride along instead of feeling like I’m being dragged along.

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Scarlett Johannson
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hrs 6 min
Warner Brothers

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Theodore Twombly (Phoenix) leads a pretty ordinary life. He spends his days at work, where he is known as Letter Writer #612. He is employed by a company known as HandwrittenLetters.com. His job is to write letters for people that either can’t or don’t want to. The rest of his day is spent engrossed in the technology that surrounds him. Currently unattached he “meets” like minded people for…umm…chatting purposes. Then one day he meets Samantha (the sultry voice of Johannson), who voices his new operating system. And before you know it, it’s love at first sound.

Spike Jonze has always amazed me as a filmmaker. His brilliant first feature, “Being John Malkovich,” earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. His adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” not only took you into the fantastic worlds of your childhood, it made you wish you were there as an adult. With “Her” he establishes himself as the quirkiest, yet most talented, director to come along since Tim Burton unleashed Pee Wee Herman on the world almost three decades ago! Here he has taken an almost laughable premise and given it a heart.

The film, also written by Jonze, also succeeds thanks to the talented cast. Joaquin Phoenix is pitch perfect here. Best known for playing more serious, and even surly, characters in films like “Gladiator,” “Walk the Line” and “The Master” (and earning Oscar nominations for all three films) here he shows a softer side bordering on sweetness. Seriously, I think this is the first time I can remember seeing Phoenix smile on camera since “Parenthood.” Just as sweet (and seductive) is Johannson, who delivers an amazing and award worthy performance as the voice of Theodore’s dreams. The supporting cast, including Amy Adams, Chris Pratt and Rooney Mara do solid work as well, but the film works best when it’s just Theodore and Samantha alone and center stage. If I had a cell phone company I would hire her immediately. Move over, Siri…Samantha is here!

Starring: Meryl Streep, Ewan McGregor and Julia Roberts
Directed by: John Wells
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hrs 1 min
The Weinstein Company

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Hollywood is full of movies about pushy and/or overbearing mothers. From Mother Bates in “Psycho” to Mama Rose in “Gypsy” to Margaret White in “Carrie” (the original 1976 version), we’ve seen how they manipulate and mold their children through fear and threats. To that short list add Violet Weston (Streep). When Violet’s author-husband Beverly (Sam Shepard) goes missing, their three daughters return to the family homestead. Oldest daughter Barbara (Roberts) brings along her husband, Bill (McGregor) but doesn’t tell her family that they are currently separated. Middle daughter Ivy (Julianne Nicholson) has a new beau but if afraid to spill the beans. And youngest, free-spirited Karen (Juliette Lewis)….well, she’s young and free-spirited. As is her fiancée, Steve (Dermot Mulroney), who sadly has eyes for Barbara’s too old for her own good 14 year old daughter, Jean (Abigail Breslin). With all of these personalities in one house you know the fireworks can’t be too far behind.

Based on the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play by Tracy Letts, “August: Osage County” could best be categorized as a class in Acting 101. Led by the magnificent Streep, the film takes a grounded play that ran for three and a half hours and compresses it into a two hour showcase of talent. It is during those two hours that stories are told and secrets are revealed.

What can I say about Meryl Streep that hasn’t been said elsewhere? The most honored actress in film history, she adds another jewel to her crown here. Violet is loud and vulgar, with a smart aleck comment always at the ready. “Are you supposed to be smoking,” she’s asked early in the film. “Is anybody SUPPOSED to be smoking,” she retorts. Unbeknownst to Violet, Barbara has learned to give as good as she gets and the verbal battles between Streep and Roberts are better than fireworks on the fourth of July. To be honest, there isn’t a bad performance in the lot, but I’d be remiss not to give credit to Nicholson and Margo Martindale, who manage to shine in front of this all star assembly.

If there is a problem with the film it’s because of its running time. You can almost sense that there are some things not told, but when the story begins to run over three hour longs you have to cut when you can. Director Wells does open the show up some, but the words and situations are all Letts, who also scored a cult hit last year with the film version of another one of his plays, “Killer Joe.”

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch and Eric Bana
Directed By: Peter Berg
Rated: R
Running Time: 121 minutes
Universal Pictures

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

You’re deep in the mountains of Afghanistan and you’re there to eliminate a dangerous Taliban leader. The only problem is, during recon, you’ve been discovered. Three goat herders have stumbled across you. One of them is a weathered old man, another is a young boy and completing the trio is a bitter young adult whose body language screams hatred. You can kill them and continue with the mission. Or you could leave them tied up to starve to death or get eaten by wolves. Or you can let them go and risk the entire mission and your safety. It’s not easy to kill and it’s not easy to condemn a man to death. It’s even harder to give yourself that fate. “Lone Survivor” is about four soldiers making that decision and witnessing hell.

The title makes it easy to assume things will not turn out well. This is reinforced by an establishing sequence of events showing you Marcus (Wahlberg) being brought in by helicopter, covered in blood stained bandages. Nonetheless the movie’s first 40 minutes attempts to establish our four main men. Besides Marcus, there’s Michael (Kitsch), Danny (Emile Hirsch) and Matt (Ben Foster). Before we have time to digest their personalities or soak in their background, we’re being thrust into Operation Red Wing. The goal is to kill or capture Ahmad Shah. The operation is being headed by Lieutenant Commander Erik (Bana). Just like our four main characters, we’re not acquainted long enough with Erik before he’s commanding our boys into the Kunar province. That’s where a routine part of the mission, surveillance, goes haywire.

The conversation between the soldiers is very honest. It’s not a decision any of us could ever make. It’s a moral dilemma that reveals a very human side to war. It’s easy to sympathize with both sides of the argument, but it’s clear what the decision will be: Letting the goat herders live. As far as movies about modern war go, this one deserves to be one of the models on how it’s done. The direction plops us right into the middle of the action as they realize their decision has doomed them. Some shots are so viciously intimate you feel twitches of pain watching these men’s bodies crack and break. The cinematography adds such a brutal touch to the shootout and the camera is not afraid of getting a bit bloody.

The best thing this movie does is avoid any kind of political stance. In a time where we continue to bicker about the “what ifs” of our contemporary wars, it’s a bit refreshing to watch a movie that’s nonpolitical. Instead of beating the war drums or waving the banner of peace, I feel that this movie’s purpose is to be a harsh slap of reality. We don’t need director Peter Berg to build up the human side of our characters before showcasing their fears and realizations of mortality because we’ve spent over a decade realizing some harsh truths about our world. Inherently, we already know the terror that happens overseas. We’ve also read and have seen the mental, emotional and physical toll of America’s soldiers. Berg simply let’s the story unfold naturally and gives us a very brisk and unsettling true-to-life battle.

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone and Kim Basinger
Directed by: Peter Segal
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 53 mins
Warner Brothers

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

In the 1980s, there was no greater sport than boxing. And two of its best champions were Billy “the Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp. Each man only lost once in their professional career: to each other. With a third meeting on the horizon, Sharp suddenly retired. He went back to his old job at a foundry, while McDonnen opened a restaurant, where he entertains patrons nightly with a puppet, mostly talking about how Sharp ducked him. But as is always the case in sports, there’s more than meets the eye to the truth.

Fun to watch, with enough action to go along with the laughs, “Grudge Match” could have been billed as Jake Lamotta vs Rocky Balboa, the boxing alter egos that earned De Niro and Stallone Oscar nominations (and the prize in De Niro’s case). In the most off-putting part of the film we are shown early boxing footage of the two, clearly taken from “Raging Bull” and “Rocky III.” This is fine. But in the scenes where the two “fight” each other, it’s obvious that the filmmakers have tried to digitally put the two actor’s faces on much younger bodies, an effect that makes the two look like they’re boxing in front of a fun house mirror.

When a young promoter (Kevin Hart) approaches both men with a deal to appear in a video game, they both reluctantly agree. It’s while throwing a few friendly jabs that the two let their dislike for each other show. The ensuing scuffle ends up on YouTube and soon the world is clamoring for the real thing. Billing it as “Grudgement Day,” Billy and Henry finally agree to the rematch that has eluded them for decades. As they prepare for the fight we learn that Henry retired after his girlfriend, Sally (Basinger), slept with Billy and had his baby. All grown up, the boy (Jon Bernthal, who looks like he could be De Niro’s son) takes on the job of training his pop while Henry turns to his old trainer, Louis Conlon (a very funny Alan Arkin). Of course things go badly when Sally also re-enters the picture.

The cast is well suited to the material, with both De Niro and Stallone showing a knack for comedy (De Niro has done it in the past with the “Meet the Parent” films but I’m pretty sure I’m the only person reading this that actually liked Stallone in “Rhinestone” or “Oscar”). Arkin has apparently snagged all of the great “aging wise-ass” roles in Hollywood, including last years’ Oscar nominated turn in “Argo.” He’s just as good here. Bernthal gives a solid performance as does Basinger, who seemingly hasn’t aged since the 1980s. And both De Niro (age 70) and Stallone (age 67) show some stamina during the climactic fight that ends the film. If there is a false note here it’s the young boy that plays De Niro’s grandson, He’s too precocious and cute to be a part of this family!

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 59 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Earlier this month Paramount Pictures announced to film exhibitors that “The Wolf of Wall Street” would be the last film they will release on 35 mm. The digital age is here and from now on film is no more. My only thoughts is that they saved the best for last.

Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) is a man on his way up. He has gotten caught up in the Wall Street boom of the mid 1980s and taken a job at a firm where he soon hopes to be making big bank. He is taken to lunch by, and under the wing of, the firm’s owner (McConaughey) and it is here that he learns the important part of Wall Street: you’re not making THEM money, you’re making YOURSELF money! When the Market crashes on Black Monday, Jordan finds himself out of work and searching the want ads. He applies to a firm that he learns is located in a strip mall. The main staple being sold are penny stocks…companies on the way up (allegedly) that consumers can get for pennies a share. Learning that his commission is 50% of what he sells, Jordan follows his mentors advice and makes himself $3000 on his first deal. Soon he decides to form his own firm, taking a few of his co-workers with him. Among them is Donnie Azoff (Hill, once again back in Oscar territory). Together they start a company where the money rolls in, the drugs roll out and Dwarf tossing is a competitive sport!

Based on the memoirs of the real-life Belfort, “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a humorous, depraved and intriguing look at the excess of the 1990s and the effect it had on people. When we first meet Jordan, his voice over tells us that he made $49 million last year. But he’s not proud of that fact, he’s annoyed. Another $3 mill and he could have said that he made a million dollars a week. Poor guy! As portrayed by DiCaprio, Belfort is a fun loving guy who is more than happy to share the wealth…and drugs…and hookers. His firm becomes so successful that competitions are held between prospective employees before they are even seen for an interview. DiCaprio has done his best work with Scorsese (this is their 5th collaboration) and he knocks it out of the park here. If a fourth Academy Award nomination (and first Award) aren’t forthcoming the Academy and I are going to have a stern conversation. From emotional highs to dramatic lows to some incredible physical comedy, DiCaprio gives Belfort something he probably didn’t have in real life: a soul. Hill is excellent as the nebbish Azoff. Also turning in great supporting work is Kyle Chandler, as an FBI agent on Jordan’s trail, Jean DuJardin as Jordan’s Swiss compatriot and, in a rare on screen appearance, Rob Reiner, who plays Jordan’s father.

Technically, this is Scorsese at his best. Is there a better storyteller working today? Armed with his usual sidekicks, including film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese has fashioned another masterpiece, just in time for the holidays. In my humble opinion, this is the best film of 2013.

Starring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris
Directed by: Justin Chadwick
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by The Weinstein Company
Runtime: 146 Minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is an inspiring, powerful and thought provoking film about the life of Nelson Mandela. Beginning with his boyhood in the fields in South Africa, to his rise as a lawyer in Johannesburg, his 27 years in prison on Robben Island and culminating in his release to become the first black president of South America.

Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba) was born in 1918 and after growing up and reaching manhood, he left his village in South Africa and became educated and a lawyer. His job was to protect the citizens of Johannesburg. Because of the city and, really, the country’s huge racial boundaries, very similar to America’s at that time he felt a greater need not just to protect the citizens in court but before either of them ever made it to court. As one man he is little; he cannot accomplish anything. But, with a group of followers that started small but became many, he was strong. Along with his wife Winnie (Naomie Harris) they orchestrate demonstrations throughout the city, again similar to the ones brought about during the U.S racial wars. They refused to ride segregated buses and would ride the trains for whites only. Rather than use fire hoses, as their American counterparts, as a means to restrain the demonstrations the government-run police would use bullets, killing men, women and children at will. When the government became violent the demonstrations became violent, with bombings and looting.

Eventually Mandela and his men are caught and prosecuted as terrorists against the government and given the penalty of death. Mandela’s last words to the court were that racial equality was a dream he believed in — and one he would die for. To make a point the judge instead sentences Mandela and his compatriots to life in prison on Robben Island, South Africa’s version of Alcatraz. Even here, without a newspaper or television, he fights for the rights of the prisoners. He works to get the prisoners pants (they currently wear shorts). Mandela knows that little wins will earn you respect no matter where you are. He is completely oblivious to the outside world, which for the first 15-20 years of his imprisonment are filled with more race wars, bombings and killings. His wife Winnie, the leader of the ANC (African National Congress — this wasn’t really a political party it was more of a guerilla party for the rights of all men) has given up on trying to win the war for equality but is merely acting out in violence and hate.

Unaware of the changing climate in the outside world Mandela has no idea that a worldwide equal rights movement is happening… with him as the centerpiece for equality and freedom. When his daughter turns 16 it’s the first time he has ever met her. She comes to visit him in prison and brings him a “Free Mandela” button. She explains to him that though they never met and he never met the millions around the world he is still looked to as a leader.

The rest of the movie is pretty much what we all know from our history lessons. Mandela was given a pardon by the newly appointed president of South Africa, FW De Klerk; before this he was “imprisoned” in a house with his family while he worked with De Klerk on human rights. Upon his release he was elected president, the first black president of South Africa and the rest is all history.

Though the film seems to be a little on the long side I only found a few scenes where it dragged. The message is so inspirational that I didn’t really care that much that it dragged on. It’s a great story of hope and the performances are fantastic. I saw Elba in “Pacific Rim” this summer and this performance made me completely forget about that movie. He does such a great job from his tone of voice to capturing Mandela’s gait, nailing the performance.

Award voting season is coming upon us, and I expect Elba, Harris and the film to receive recognition for the great portrayal of the Mandela family and for educating the many people who see this as the behind the scenes story of Nelson Mandela and his walk to freedom.

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Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, and Shirley MacLaine
Directed By: Ben Stiller
Rated: PG
Running Time: 114 minutes
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Walter Mitty (Stiller) has lived a dry life. His dating profile is barren. Not because he’s shy, but because he draws a blank when asked if he’s ever gone anywhere or done anything exciting. Ironically he is a long time photo department employee for the magazine “Life”. He’s lived a longer and more fulfilling life in his head. As his sister says, he zones out and begins to image a complex fantasy sprawl out in front while blocking out the real world. He sees himself as a true hero, constantly in the throes of battle or immersing himself in a wild adventure. Instead he’s spent years developing the photos of world traveler Sean O’Connel (Sean Penn) in the basement of the “Life” building.

Today he learns that “Life” has been acquired and will become an all online magazine. The company has brought in a new smug boss, Ted (Adam Scott). He’s a hot shot who’s clueless about how the company is run. Ted says the magazine’s final publication will feature an image that Sean has deemed as the quintessence of life. What is that image? Don’t know. Mitty has lost the negative and is quietly scrambling to find it. The beginning may not sound exciting, but the tapestry that is Walter’s imagination, is a saving grace. He saves animals from exploding buildings and in a light hearted moment, skews Benjamin Button.

His love interest in the movie, Cheryl (Wiig), seems to be the driving factor behind Walter’s sudden change of direction. Instead of accepting defeat, he pushes himself to globe trot in order to find Sean and ask what his final negative was. The film does begin to lose a major component of storytelling when Walter’s vivid imagination begins to phase out as he begins to encounter his own fanciful situations. How many people can say they’ve fought a shark in the water or sped away from a volcanic cloud of ash? As neat as though actual adventures are, I’d much rather watch Walter surf on gravel and duel Ted over a Stretch Armstrong.

Give ample credit to Ben Stiller for painting such a beautiful world for Walter, real and fake. Behind the camera, Stiller is smart enough to let the beautiful countryside of Iceland speak for itself in multiple scenes, but fails to give Walter a big enough playground even in the realm of his own visions. In front of the camera, Stiller puts his usual movie goofyness aside and plays the humble Walter well. Kristen Wiig is equally charming in her role as a single mom willing to let Walter into her life. One of my favorite parts of this movie is the fantastic indie soundtrack. The music meshes well when used as a simple bed for the scene to nestle on or when it overtakes the sound of everything.

Walter’s a likable guy and he’s very relatable since we’ve all had our fair share of daydreams. Who doesn’t wanna show up their boss in front of their co-workers? It’s easy to become disinterested and tired of the story as it stumbles beneath it’s frantic feet, but if your hearts in the right place, you’ll have a smile on your face as you exit the theater.

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Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner
Directed By: David O. Russell
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 138 minutes
Sony Pictures

Our Score: 5 out of 5 Stars

The main cast of David O. Russell’s two previous acclaimed films The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook join forces with added Jeremy Renner and Louis CK to form the glorious and hilarious American Hustle. Set amidst the 1970s ABSCAM affair, Hustle is less concerned with historical accuracy, disclaiming only “some of this actually happened” and more interested in pitting ambitious larger-than-life players against each other. The huge personalities are well matched to the gorgeous kaleidoscope of 1970s hair and wardrobe on display. The result is a wildly fast-paced comedy that lives up to the promise of its powerhouse cast. Easily one of the best films of the year.

The film follows Christian Bale as Bronx con man, Irving Rosenfeld, who is hellbent on making something of himself with his shady loans dealings and forged artwork. He decides to reveal his true occupation, hidden behind a dry cleaning front, to equally ambitious schemer Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) with whom he hooked up with at a party. At first Rosenfeld regrets his decision but Prosser comes roaring back to him with a fully formed persona for joining in on his scams. Equipped with the poshest of fake British accents Sydney transforms into Edith Greensly whose alleged London banking connections make Rosenfeld’s offers that much more appealing to his marks.

The couple’s whirlwind romance and financial success is halted when they’re caught by FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) who aims to use the pair’s skills in order to entrap government officials and even bigger fish. DiMaso, like Irving, is also eager to make the bigtime. As DiMaso Cooper’s wild eyed hunger for getting the largest targets possible in the face of a sensible superior played by the brilliant Louis CK is one of the greatest joys of the film. Meanwhile Jeremy Renner as the affable politician DiMaso seeks to ruin helps to ground the emotional cost of the agent’s desperation. Mainly though Hustle is a fascinating power struggle between the trio of Irving, Richie and Sydney. Each scene is rife with a nervous energy as the three players face off and get themselves further and further in over their heads. Sydney’s real or feigned affection for both of the men adds additional tension for good measure with Adams doing some of her best work ever.

In lesser hands, the cast may have been outshone by the garish hair and trappings of the disco era, but here the pile of hair on Jennifer Lawrence for example seems downright tame on the head of her boozy Rosalyn, Irving’s wildcard wife. Her face-off with Adams over their mutual claim to Bale’s character is one of the most electric moments of the film and both actresses dive into their rivalry with relish.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Paul Giamatti
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Rated: PG
Running time: 2 hours 5 mins
Walt Disney Pictures

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

It’s hard to believe that one of the most beloved films of all time, “Mary Poppins,” almost wasn’t made. It took 20 years of convincing by Walt Disney himself until author P.L. Travers agreed to consider the project. Of course, she had some ideas of her own. No animation. No music (“Mary Poppins does NOT sing”) And no way on that dreadful Dick Van Dyke. History, of course, tells us that these fears were unnecessary. “Saving Mr. Banks” does the same, but with a little help from the players involved.

Told in current period time and, too often, in flashbacks, “Saving Mr. Banks” is a fine film when the subject of “Mary Poppins” is being discussed. The flashback scenes, of the author as a young girl in Australia and her alcoholic father (Colin Farrell), are too often just there to interject something familiar into the story. Yes, I understand. Mother used to say “spit-spot” just like Mary Poppins does. These scenes actually slow the film down. It’s the magic of films that Walt Disney was known for and when “Saving Mr. Banks” addresses that process the film begins to soar.

The film is well cast. Who better than Tom Hanks, arguably his generations Jimmy Stewart, with a little Henry Fonda added for good measure, to play “Uncle” Walt? Hanks’ performance is just right, capturing the filmmaker as those of us who used to watch him every Sunday night remember him. As Travers, Thompson has created the perfect snob. She is never happy with anything, be it her stuffed animal filled hotel room to the poor grammar included in the script. You can imagine her reaction when she first hears “Supercalifragilisticexpealadocious!” The supporting cast is equally strong. B.J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman play the musical Sherman brothers, Bradley Whitford is screenwriter Don DaGradi and Giamatti is the always cheerful limo driver who finally helps melt Travers’ icy persona.

Starring: Oscar Issac, Justin Timberlake and F. Murray Abraham
Directed by: Ethan and Joel Coen
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 45 mins
CBS Films

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

In the early 1960s folk music began its rise. Musicians from all over would come to New York City to play small clubs in Greenwich Village, hoping to make a few bucks and get their messages out. One of them is Llewyn Davis (Issac). Talented, but clearly unlovable, we meet Llewyn as he sings in a small club. After his performance he’s told that “his friend in the suit” wanted to talk with him in the alley. He soon finds himself being beaten. It is this event which bookends the latest film by the Coen brothers, “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

Sharply written and filmed with the Coen’s usual sharp eye for detail, the film follows Llewyn (Isaac) as he attempts to make a living with his music. On the street and walking around with a neighbor’s cat, Davis plays little clubs and passes the hat most of the time. And while it’s agreed that he’s quite talented, it’s also agreed that he’s a real horse’s ass! His musical partner gone, his career stalled and his agent now representing others, Davis realizes his one chance is to audition and play at a club run by the legendary Bud Grossman (Abraham) outside of Chicago.

Filled with great performances, including Timberlake and Carey Mulligan as a folk duo, the film’s high point is its outstanding musical score, overseen by Oscar winner T. Bone Burnett (“Crazy Heart”). The songs fit the time and mood of the country, from anti-war protests to a song asking President Kennedy NOT to send a man to the moon. All involved, from pro JT to actor Isaac sing beautifully and if you enjoy the film you’ll surely want to go out and buy the soundtrack CD. As Llewyn is a person better heard, and not seen, you may go ahead and thank me now for the suggestion.

Starring the Voices of: John Leguizamo, Justin Long and Tiya Sircar
Directed by: Neil Nightingale and Barry Cook
Rated: PG
Running Time: 87 minutes
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 1 out of 5 stars

I try my hardest not to walk into a film with any preconceived notions that may ruin the movie going experience for me. I may see a commercial for it or see a tidbit in the news about it, but that doesn’t affect my opinion. I tell myself every time after a commercial, “That 30 seconds is not the movie.” Before the movie even begins I stash away what reservations I do have when “BBC Earth” pops up as one of the studios. The same studio that has brought us critically acclaimed documentaries like “Frozen Planet”, “Life” and others.“Maybe there is hope for this movie,” I think to myself. After the second vomit joke and the flick’s first poop joke, I think BBC Earth might wanna consider burning whatever bridges they have to this movie.

So what happened to this well shot film? First we start off with our modern day introduction. A useless subplot has uncle Zack (Karl Urban) taking his nephew Ricky and his niece Jade to a local spot to do some paleontology. Already I feel bad for Mr. Urban. Obviously the nephew is too cool to dig around for dinosaurs, so he lingers back. That’s when he hears Alex, a talking bird (Leguizamo), who plans to change his mind. Alex then becomes the narrator to a trio of pachyrhinosaurus. The first is Patchi (Long), a young dino with plenty of shortcomings and no charm. The second is his love at first glance friend, Juniper (Sircar). But Patchi’s annoying older brother Scowler (Stone) who spouts off tough guy lingo also likes Juniper. Not for any other reason besides ownership. Literally. As for the plot, it’s another copy and paste story line with a dry theme about courage. Unless you’re a girl. Then the moral of the story is, men will fight to own you. Deal with it.

The supposed narrative by Alex is confusing. He switches from talking to Patchi, to narrating the movie, to possibly talking to our human back in present time and then speaking directly to the audience. It’s frustrating and a definite sign that there were about four different ideas crammed into this movie. Three of those ideas were terrible.The one idea that could have worked, teaching kids about dinosaurs, is buried. I’m sure co-director Neil Nightingale was the redeeming quality while everyone else decided crude bowel movement humor should triumph science and learning.

Another confusing aspect is that the dinosaurs by themselves already make animal sounds. They moan, whine, roar and coo. The voice-overs feel like they were done at the last minute. It really seems like Justin Long and Tiya Sircar cashed their check before entering the studio. I don’t know who thought it would be a good idea to Mystery Science Theater these creatures, but it was a terrible idea. The movie would have been miles better without it’s dubbed demeaning dialogue exchanges and juvenile jokes.

At it’s very basic minimal core, it’s a made for TV documentary on dinosaurs with grade ‘A’ graphics. It probably would have been in science classes on days where the teacher would rather dim the lights and let the glow of the TV do the lecturing. What we have instead is a confusing movie overflowing with verbal garbage and tacky plot devices. There’s plenty of better options for children’s movies this holiday and better ways to teach them about these prehistoric creatures. Here’s a final warning: Despite your parental cries of agony, the theater will not mute the screen.

Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate and Paul Rudd
Directed by: Adam McKay
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 59 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I don’t know how to put this, but…Ron Burgandy is still kind of a big deal. And as portrayed by Will Ferrell he brings a hilarious dose of good news with him in the new film, “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”

When we last left Ron (Ferrell) and his news team, he had just regained his job back and was happily co-hosting the San Diego evening news with his beloved Veronica (Applegate). As we meet him again, he has just been fired, replaced by Veronica and reduced to hosting the hourly dolphin show at Sea World. After a disastrous interaction with the crowd (“children and women hate you, Ron” a young boy calls out), Burgundy finds himself, literally at the end of his rope. However he is saved by a visit from a representative of an all new, 24 hour news station, hilariously played by the usually very serious Dylan Baker. Offered an anchor position, Ron accepts with the condition he can assemble his old news team. Sportscaster Champ Kind (David Koechner) now operates a fried “chicken” restaurant. Feature reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) has made a successful living by photographing kittens. And weatherman Brick Tamblin (Steve Carell) is dead. At least he thinks he is. The newly reunited team head for the Big Apple and new found fame!

I had one fear when I sat down to watch this movie: that I had seen so much of it already in the incessant promotional on-slaught that has been running since Labor Day that I’d already seen the funny stuff. Not to worry. In the capable hands of writers Ferrell and McKay, Ron Burgundy’s world has more than enough room for laughs. Originally scheduled to helm the 2 a.m. news shift, Burgundy finds success by, in his words, “telling the people not what they NEED to hear but what they WANT to hear. Couple this idea with Ron bottle feeding a shark and experiencing interracial dating and you have the makings of one outrageously funny film. All of the returning actors are funny and strong, with Rudd’s Brian Fantana a standout. New guest stars, including Kristen Wiig, James Marsden and Harrison Ford shine just as bright as the story’s regular cast members. Add to these stars a strong performance by Dobby the Shark and you’ve got yourself one damn funny movie!

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hrs 41 mins
New Line

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When we last saw Bilbo Baggins (Freeman) and his dwarf friends they were winding their way through the Misty Mountains on a quest. A quest for treasure, honor and redemption. And the only thing standing in their way was….a dragon!

Picking up where the first film of the trilogy, “An Unexpected Journey,” ended, “The Desolation of Smaug” follows the group, led by Thorin (Richard Armitage), as they head towards a showdown with the fierce beast that now controls what once was their kingdom. Along the way they encounter a band of elves, led by a familiar face from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Legolas (Bloom). They have parted company with the wizard Gandalf (McKellen) and are left to their best devices. After dealing with over-size spiders and murderous Orcs they come upon a village where they persuade the townspeople to support them in their cause. This leads to a showdown between “burglar” Bilbo and the fire breathing monster.

What a treat it has been the past two Decembers to sit in the darkness of a movie theatre and take a Peter Jackson-designed journey. He brings to the “Hobbit” films the same care and craftsmanship he brought to the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Abandoning the 48 frames-per-second process he used for “An Unexpected Journey” (a process that gave the film an amazing clarity but was very distracting), Jackson and his crew have fashioned a two and a half hour thrill ride that takes audiences into Middle Earth and the secrets enclosed inside.

The cast have grown into a strong ensemble and each character gets a chance to shine. For a portion of the film Bilbo is more of a secondary character, the story focusing more on the dwarves and their leader. Freeman brings a quiet honor to Bilbo, making him much more bolder and braver in this chapter. Armitage is strong as Thorin while McKellen once again holds the screen as the great Gandalf the Gray. His single-handed battle with the Orcs is one of the main set pieces of the film and it does not disappoint. Even though I understand the character of Legolas is not in any of JRR Tolkein’s “Hobbit” books, it was like seeing an old friend when he came on screen. He is also joined by a new character, Taurien, played by Evangeline Lily. Finally, there is the great Smaug, menacingly voiced by Bennedict Cumberbatch with a mixture of menace and humor. Smaug is truly one of the greatest screen creatures ever portrayed on film. With his silky-smooth voice and fire breath he truly is terrifying.

As I, and millions of fans, wait for next December to bring about the third chapter, I highly recommend taking in “The Desolation of Smaug” and losing yourself in the adventure.